When I asked why Carli and Cass picked Medinah Country Club as their wedding venue, they cut right to the chase: “It was one of the few places big enough for everyone”.
Since their wedding was large (clocking in around 250 guests—most from out of town), they put a ton of thought into every wedding weekend touchpoint. As Carli put it in her initial inquiry: “We want to spend as much time with each person as we can. Although it’s not a small wedding, we want it to feel personal, intimate, romantic, and dreamy, and we want everyone to have an absolute blast.”
The key to making their large wedding feel intimate? Incorporating as many touch points with their friends and family as possible. To start, they hosted a “Welcome Party” in place of a traditional rehearsal dinner. It was the perfect chance for them to chat with extended family and long-time friends in a relaxed setting so that they didn’t feel the pressure to do it on their wedding day.
The next morning, they got ready at Eaglewood Resort & Spa with a little non-traditional twist. Instead of having a huge wedding party, their closest friends were regular wedding guests who got ready alongside them. It created the most relaxed yet loving atmosphere that was the perfect start to the day.
Bucktown Wedding Ceremony & Celebration
When I asked what Carli and Cass were most excited about (other than marrying their best friend), they had *the best* answer: “We’re going to surprise our guests with bagpipers after the ceremony (since Cass is Irish) and have a parade down the street from the church to the bar where we had our first date. It’s really special to us to share where we fell in love with everyone.”
So, after their church ceremony at St. Hedwig in Bucktown, everyone gathered together to start the parade to Map Room—where they had their first date—and Jack & Ginger’s, one of their favorite bars in Bucktown.
The best part? The downpour didn’t give them a second of pause. Carli switched into her white rain boots while Cass’ mom said, “It’s a little bit of Ireland to bring you good luck!”
After a mini-celebration with friends and family, we snuck off to take some photos in front of their old apartment and made our way to the reception at Medinah Country Club.
Medinah Country Club Wedding Reception
When we arrived at Medinah Country Club, we took advantage of the break in the rain and snapped a few more photos.
(Let’s take a moment to acknowledge the way the Spring trees matched Carli’s bouquet *perfectly*)
Even though they had a large guest count, the ballroom truly felt intimate, romantic, and intentional. The decor added a soft, dreamy touch that created the perfect ambiance. And the personal touches sprinkled throughout the room—Irish pewter flutes, a custom cake topper, and heirloom cake-cutting utensils—made the day feel like them.
And once the dance floor opened? It was a non-stop party.
All-in-all, Carli and Cass’ wedding is a perfect example of how you can strike a perfect balance of intentional touches and gorgeous decor. And they’re proof that a little rain on your wedding day isn’t the end of the world—it’s just the start of the party!
Shoutout to the wedding vendors who made this Medina Country Club Wedding happen:
AM Prep: Eaglewood Resort & Spa
Day-of Coordinator: Rosanna & Co.
Band: Standing Room Only
Videography: Namesty Films
Hair & Makeup: Lueur Beauty
Florals: Lavender Fields Flowers & Decor
Cake: Jarosch Bakery
Photobooth: Infinity Event Productions
Post-Ceremony Celebration: Jack and Ginger’s
Bagpipes: Shannon Rovers
Transportation: Cloud 9 and Charter Up
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Let’s chat! Whether you’re getting married at Medinah Country Club or another Chicagoland venue, I’d love to hear more about your personality-packed wedding plans.
